The 39-year-old, who celebrates his birthday in January, has been influential in his side’s rise to fourth in the Brasileirão, following their poor start to the season.

São Paulo's current position means they would qualify for next season’s Copa Libertadores come the end of the season, which Ceni, whose contract expires in December, has admitted could prove an irresistible lure to continue playing.

The former Brazil international said: "It’s tempting. It would be nice to play in the Copa Libertadores next year.

"It’s something that I will decide upon in the first half of November. If it’s what the club wants, then we will go ahead."

São Paulo supporters have recently launched a website in a desperate bid to change the goalkeeper’s mind over his decision to retire from football at the end of the season.

The goalkeeper played a total of 473 games over 22 years for the Rio outfit and also appeared 17 times for the Seleção.

Ceni also has the distinction of being the only professional goalkeeper in history to score more than 100 top-flight goals.

The free-kick and penalty-taking specialist is still considered one of the finest strikers of the dead ball in world football.